It’s been a year and half since Mason Dalton has played competitive soccer for Lakeland United and in Polk County. But there isn’t a day that goes by when he doesn’t revisit some of the scenarios that have made for a smooth transition to his college career at Dalton State College in Georgia.
Mason, a former Lake Gibson Player of the Year in 2020, is currently preparing for his sophomore year at the NAIA school following a freshman year in which he racked up two goals and two assists as a midfielder. That included his biggest moment in the postseason round of 16, when he drove with a strong attack and shot from the top of the box, which ricocheted off a defender into the net with 20 seconds left in the game.
Dalton State finished the year 14-2-4. But there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn't analyze the lessons learned from Lakeland United — a bridge program that assists players advancing to the next level in soccer. He helped the organization win the regular-season tournament before advancing to the conference tournament.
“People have no idea that Lakeland United wasn’t just a team. It was my family, it was my home, and I learned a lot there,” Dalton said. “Coach Tauan (Salgado) always said, ‘Play with confidence, have a good heart and just have a good time.’ … He always wanted his players to have a good time, because when they have a good time, they play with more confidence, and they play better. And I always look back at what he tells me. And it always makes you feel like I need to play better. I need to listen what he says, even in hard times.”
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Lakeland United is currently having a strong season with an 8-2-1 record, just advancing to the Florida West Conference Final thanks to the players and Salgado, who constantly checks in on Dalton from afar. He said Dalton has been ready to showcase his talents.
“We feel like we prepared him to work on a blend of both worlds at Dalton State College, Salgado said. “Coach Saif (Alsafeer) runs a tight ship with a lot of structure, with an extremely level of attention to details and very pragmatic with tactics, and it works very well. And, in my opinion, that’s why and how he’s been getting many kids pro contracts … So, I think Mason has not abandoned his creative style, using a lot of dribbling in progression and lot of individual players at the right moment.”
The Lakeland native used this preparation when Lakeland United sent him to Dalton State College in the fall of 2023, which ended in a successful year. After the season culminated, he visited Polk County friends, the same people who helped him get to where he is today.
“A lot people them told me, they love the way I play and I’m very good on the ball technically. The biggest thing I need is confidence and once I have confidence, I can reach the skies,” Dalton said.
Dalton's journey started at Lake Gibson High School under coach Bon DeLong, who infused a high standard when it comes to leadership by example. DeLong always emphasized to Dalton to express himself on the field, and that led the Braves to a district title and a regional final appearance in 2020. That year, Dalton put up 12 goals and five assists to become The Ledger’s Player of the Year.
“That standard is you always have to perform very well,” Dalton said. “I have to perform the very best for us because everybody back home is depending on me and they want me to do good.”
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